“Don’t delay getting the care you need” | News

“Don’t delay getting the care you need”

Peter Lawes, aged 70 from Catford, has talked about the hip replacement operation he had in September at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL), praising all the staff for how they cared for him and kept him safe from Covid. You can see the interview with Peter on Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s YouTube channel.

Before his hip replacement operation, Peter needed crutches to walk and pain relief – both of which were arranged by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s community orthopaedic team. Peter was then given a Covid test a few days before his operation to check that he was Covid free, before the operation was carried out.

Peter talked about the safety measures in place at University Hospital Lewisham, including everyone wearing face masks, social distancing and the fact that he was treated in a dedicated part of the hospital – away from Covid-19 patients.  He commented: “All of the procedures – going into the hospital, while I was waiting to go into the pre-op room, going into the theatre: it is all protecting you.”

Peter praised the whole team who cared for him, and said: “From the blood nurse who came and visited me at home, to the staff who processed me going into the operating theatre – I feel like I was in a five star hotel. They were just absolutely supportive and reassuring.”

Following his operation, Peter is able to walk again. He urged other local people, who may be worried about Covid, not to delay getting the treatment they need: “I would say put those worries to one side. Look at yourself, and how you are feeling, and come and experience what I experienced – five and  half weeks past the operation, I’m walking without crutches, I’m pain free, I’m walking upright. I’m looking forward the next few months and onwards. You are safer here [in hospital] than you are outside it to be honest.”

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